脚
skids, leg, undercarriage, lower part, base
Readings
On'yomi
- キャク
- キャ
- カク
Kun'yomi
- あし
Nanori
- し
Meaning
脚 centers on the lower supporting part of something: a leg, a base, or an undercarriage. The skids sense is a specific application of that same supporting lower structure.
Most common words using 脚
20 of 99- 脚きゃく
counter for chairs or seats
- 脚本きゃくほんN1
script; screenplay; scenario
- 失脚しっきゃく
losing one's position; losing one's standing; downfall; fall (from power); being overthrown
- 三脚さんきゃく
tripod; three legs
- 脚光きゃっこう
footlight; limelight
- 脚色きゃくしょくN1
dramatization (e.g. of a novel); dramatisation; adaptation (for the stage or screen)
- 行脚あんぎゃ
pilgrimage
- 両脚りょうあし
both legs
- 脚立きゃたつ
stepladder; steps
- 脚注きゃくちゅう
footnote
- 二人三脚ににんさんきゃく
three-legged race
- 立脚りっきゃくN1
being based on
- 橋脚きょうきゃく
bridge pier; pontoon bridge
- 脚力きゃくりょく
leg strength; walking ability; running ability
- 脚気かっけ
beriberi; severe thiamine deficiency
- 飛脚ひきゃく
express messenger; postman; mailman; courier
- 脚長きゃくちょう
leg length (welding); length of fillet weld
- 日脚ひあし
daytime
- 舞脚まいあし
kanji "dancing legs" radical (radical 136)
- 脚線美きゃくせんび
beauty of slender female legs
Study
Etymology
脚 combines ⺼ (flesh/body part) with 却, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of retreating or bending, together suggesting the leg as a body part that bends.
Meaning mnemonic
The flesh radical ⺼ on the left marks a body part, and 却 on the right looks like a bent knee and foot. Together they form the leg, the body's lower support.
Reading mnemonic
For キャク, imagine a leg kicking a ball: kick -> キャク, and the leg is the body part that kicks.